pages

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Are The French Goofy?

Are the French Goofy?

What do you think?

You could say they have a long tradition of fantasiecertainment. Cat umbrellas wearing furry coats - definitely goofy.What about this popsicle? And the French obsession with penny candy?This big stand has been at the Odeon Metro for years... Goofy Halloween lingerie!Who needs it?

Did you know in his spare time YSL sketched naughty, goofy Lulu cartoons?

Have you ever noticed how many otherwise serious and refined boulangeries have goofy figurines around the shop?

I forgot to show you yesterday the giant Superman floating overPrintemps Cupcakes Gallery - I just don't get some of these French obsessions...

Goofing around with paper cutouts is HUGE in Paris - you'll see this stuff everywhere and I don't think it's for the tourists. French Girl has tons of goofy stuff in her apartment by the way-more to come... L.APPARTEMENT, a rather chic shop in the 7th arrondissement, is full of goofy tchotchkas.

You've touched on something that not many have written about, but that I have observed.

When I first came to Paris I looked around at Easter for life-like chocolate Easter bunnies and hens. Nowhere to be found. Instead - cartoon characters in chocolate! "Ludique" say the French. On the other hand, April 1st brings life-like fish and shellfish in chocolate for "Poisson d'Avril," and Easter brings life-like chocolate bells.

The French do love goofy. Let's face it, Jerry Lewis was much more appreciated here than in his own country!

Oh thank you GRACE for confirming my suspicious.One never knows if one is just imagining things...I always wondered about those ridiculous chocolate Easter animaux.And how right you are about the FRENCH Poisson d'Avril getting much more respect than the French Lapin!AND they are BOTH CHOCOLATE!Perhaps all this silliness originates with French pastry chefs and chocolatiers who have to be dotty to work around sugar and chocolate all day non?I see a potential illustrated tome on this subject with The Grand Prix Goncourt in attendence.

I loved this post! Always liked them all, bu this was funny. I think when we are not part of the culture we can see those "interesting" objects screaming at us! I always thought Americans were goofy! I can not understand the kitsch side of American culture, like dressing up with Halloween and Christmas theme to go to work. Have you seen how the ladies here go crazy over that stuff? Pumpkins earrings, Christmas tree with blinking lights sweaters, Rudolph ties, etc...When you are an outsider you see it with enlargement lens, I guess!?

Recently I saw a goofy street performer who made the adults sit in minscule chairs while he balanced a bike on his chin. Have you seen that goofy TV channel ZAP? They once had a reputation for liking goofy Jerry Lewis.They also love their goofy Bande dessinée. Comic books.

PB is SO clever!!just loved this post and it's going in the SAVE folder...so many fun places to find "next time"....I can't believe we didn't see any Eiffel Tower salt shakers!!! would have bought several.You just have the best time!Merci, merci, merci....Suzanne

Check the kitsch outside the kitchen at the lovely corner restaurant L'Ilot Vache on Ile St-Louis. Old stone walls, beautiful fresh flowers, lovely tableware and distinctive draperies - but on the window sills and covering other surfaces you find a collection of cow figurines, some riding Harleys. Great fun! Delicious, too.

I love that paper(?) fold-out(?) skyline of Paris in the photo abovethe caption, "Goofing around with paper cutouts is *HUGE* in Paris -you'll see this stuff everywhere and I* don't* think it's for the tourists.French Girl has tons of goofy stuff *in her apartment

It hit me when you showed that the French display Superman above their USA cupcakes: You must start another blog, this one posted for the French to educate them about the USA!You owe it to Bear to get him that fancy-pants Burberry bear companion!

Bear must travel to France. He is developing into a cultured and refined bear, so that you have much to discuss after your exciting travels. And he looks so cute sitting about in the outdoor cafes. (Uh-oh, maybe I am OFG goofy, myself, Mon Dieu!) Hugs, Cheryl

Yes...you are seriously. goofy...thank goodness...I so appreciate and am a member of the seriously goofy club myself. You are immersed in a world of wonderful art, chic fashion, and tour Paris with great taste...but to have your flavor of fun (goofiness) intact in the midst of all the fabulous sophistication....what a gem you are, and it makes this blog better...bear and all. Thanks Carol!

Oh my God, it annoys me to no end that I live at the moment in Edmonton, Canada, the most boring city I can think of. Even the umbrellas here are boring - just black. I want one of those furry kitty ones!!

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.